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=== === <><><> If you needed to ask this question here, one of the most important things you must learn is how to use an electrician's multi-meter correctly and safely. This is one of those questions... If you know this little, you shouldn't be planning to do what you are planning... No disrespect intended, but this is SO basic that it suggests you have not studied the subject at all! There are many good reference books and course books to study from. === === <><><> This question is not as easy to answer as you may at first think. It all depends if you really know what you mean when you say "a positive wire" and "a negative wire". Are you asking about an AAA cell or are you asking about mains voltage alternating current? So take the advice given above and learn how to use a multimeter - safely - to measure voltages and currents used by electrical items or systems. Some of them use direct current power supplies, such as dry cells or batteries; other things use alternating current power supplies such as 120 Volt or 240 Volt power mains. You really need to know about both types because none of them are safe to play with, not even the simplest dry cell or battery. If you want to ask this type of question again please be sure to say: * exactly what type of electrical item or system it is that you want to know about

and

* where those wires are on (or in) the item or system that you are curious to know about which wires are positive or negative. Then someone may be able to help you by giving you a more specific answer.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

If you do this work yourself, always turn off the power

at the breaker box/fuse panel BEFORE you attempt to do any work AND

always use an electrician's test meter having metal-tipped probes

(not a simple proximity voltage indicator)

to insure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

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Q: How do you tell a positive wire from negative wire?
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